Power operated can opener



Sept. 17, 1957 A. E. GRANT POWER OPERATED CAN OPENER 3 sneets sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1955 INVENTOR. fi/em 5 6/4/72 BY j/f/ ATTORHEK Sept. 17, 1957 5, GRANT 2,806,280

POWER OPERATED CAN OPENER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Ndv. 9, 1955 P 1957 v i A. E. GRANT 2,806,280

POWER OPERATED CAN OPENER Filed Nov. 9, 1955 3 Sheefs-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. fl/bnf E Era/7% A GENE).

nited States Patent POWER OPERATED CAN OPENER Albert E. Grant, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to John C. Hockery, trustee for Henry J. Talge and Foster L. Talge, care of Rival Manufacturing Company, Kansas City, Mo.

Application November 9, 1955, Serial No. 545,330 12 Claims. (Cl. 30-4) This invention relates to power operated can openers and refers more particularly to such a power operated can opener which employs power puncturing of the can and, additionally, maintains the can in level position at all times during the opening process whereby to free the hands of the operator for adjustment of the various parts of the can opener and regulation of the power supply.

An object of the present invention is to provide a power operated can opener wherein the can is punctured under the impetus of the power source without application of manual force by the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power operated can opener wherein the entire cutting operation is performed under the impetus of the power source.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power operated can opener wherein the initial engagement of the can with the can opener is effected manually, the can opener mechanism then supporting the can without manual aid, thereby freeing the operators hands to turn on the power source to initiate the puncturing and cutting of the can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power operated can opener wherein the can remains engaged and supported in level position by the can opener mechanism without additional manual support by the operator until manual release of the can from the can opener after the cutting operation has been completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power operated can opener having automatic resilient adjustability of the cutting and driving means to allow their passing over the seam of the can during the cutting operation without disengaging the can from the can opener or requiring support of the can by the operators hand, the can also being maintained at all times in level position during the adjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power operated can opener of simple, rugged construction employing relatively few parts which are easy to repair and maintain, said can opener having an attractive appearance and occupying a relatively small volume of space;

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description.

In the drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, an embodiment of the invention is shown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

Fig. 1 is a three-quarter perspective view of a power operated can opener embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the can opener of Fig. 1 showing the can cutting means in lower or can cutting relationship relative the can engaging means.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the can opener of Fig. l with the can cutting means and can engaging means thereof in intermediate or can engaging position relative one another.

Fig. 4 is a front view of a portion. of the can opener of Fig. 1 showing the can cutting means in can releasing and inserting relationship or upper position relative the can engaging means.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the can opener of Fig. 1 with the parts of the opener shown in full lines at a position corresponding to the intermediate can engaging position of Fig. 3 and in dotted lines at a position corresponding to the upper can releasing and inserting position illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6' is a rear view of the can opener of Fig. 1 with the back plate thereof removed and parts of the underlying structures in section, the operating parts thereof being positioned in the intermediate can engaging position shown in front view in Fig. 3. V

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the can opener of Fig. 1 With the back plate removed and, additionally, the back horizontal slide also removed, the operating parts of the can opener shown positioned in the lower can cutting position as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a front view of the can opener of Fig. l with successive layers thereof cut away to illustrate the parts on which is mounted the can cutting means, the operating parts of the can opener being shown in a position equivalent to the intermediate can engaging position of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the can opener of Fig. 1 with the back plate, the upper front plate, the back horizontal slide, the back horizontal slide frame and the securing plates removed, the operating parts of the can opener shown positioned in the intermediate can engaging position of Fig. 3 and the rear face of the base frame shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 10 is a top view of the base frame of the can opener of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a top view of the base frame of Fig. 10 with the vertical slide assembly positioned therein held relative thereto by the securing plates.

Fig. 12 is a top view of the can opener of Fig. 1 with the top screening portions of the front and back plates removed to permit a view into the interior of the can opener.

Fig. 13 is a view taken along the lines 1313 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, a general description of the overall structure and operation of the inventive power driven can opener will be first understaken and then a detailed description of the parts thereof and their op eration.

Referring first to Fig. l, the can opener assembly proper 20 is mounted and fixed on the edge of a platform 21 having a compound tilt. The four corners of flat rectangular platform 21 are of different heights, corner 21a at the right front of assembly 20 of least height and corners 2112 (left front of assembly 20), 21c and 210! each of relatively greater height. The purpose of the compound tilt is to fix a can engaged by the can opener assembly parts in a vertical position during the cutting operation to avoid spilling of the contents of the can. Power source 22 is mounted on frame 22a by bolts 22b and rotates drive shaft 24 which communicates through conventional reduction system (gear or worm) 25 with the can opener assembly 20. The basic operating parts of the can opener assembly 20 comprise can cutting wheel 26 mounted on cutting wheel shaft 27 (removably positioned thereon by catch 28, itself mounted on can cutter catch shaft 29) and rotating can engaging wheel 30 having teeth 31 which is mounted on the end of drive shaft 24. Canengaging wheel 30 is rotatably mounted on the front outside surface of the can opener assembly 20 in a fixed position relative thereto. Wheel 30 is rotated by power source 22 through drive shaft 24 and serves to rotate a can engaged by it and cutter wheel 26 relative wheel 26 in the can cutting process. The can cutter wheel 26 and its shaft 27 are mounted on an assembly which is vertically movable relative the fixed rotatable can engaging wheel 30.

Neglecting for a moment the structures involved, it should be noted that'the can cutter wheel'26 is movable to three vertical positions relative said can engaging wheel, including an upper can releasing and inserting position (Fig. 4), an intermediate can engaging position (Fig. 3), and a lower can cutting position (Fig. 2). The can opener operating mechanisms tend to retain the can cutter wheel 26 relative the can engaging wheel 30 in the intermediate position which is shown in Fig. 3. The distance between the two wheels in this position is insuflicient to permit either insertion or withdrawal of the bead or rim of the can therebetween. To insert the bead or rim of a can between the cutter wheel'26 and the can engaging wheel 30, itis necessary for the operator to manually depress the horizontal slide lever 32, thereby causing the internal mechanism of the can opener to raise the cutter wheel 26 to the upper or can releasing position relative wheel 30, as in Fig. 4. In this position, there is suflicient clearance between the two wheels to'permit the insertion of the head or rim of a can between the two wheels for engagement thereof by the wheels or the removal of the bead or rim of a can from between the two Wheels. Thus, if the operator wishes to insert the bead or rim of a can between the two wheels to open the can, the lever 32 is depressed as in Fig. 4 and the'operating parts move the cutter wheel 26 vertically relative the can engaging wheel 30 to the upper position. The rim of the can may then be inserted between the two wheels and, upon release of the lever 32 by the operator, the cutter wheel is returned by the operation of the mechanism of the can opener to the intermediate position of Fig. 3. In the intermediate position, the rim of the can is engaged between the two wheels so as to support the can relative the can opener without any manual support by the operator. The can, however, is not punctured or ready to be cut. To cause the wheel 26 to move downwardly relative the stationary can engaging wheel 30 to the cutting position as is shown in Fig. 2, it is necessary for the operator to activate the power source, which, again, acting through mechanisms to be later described, causes the cutting wheel to move downwardly into the lower or cutting position. So long as the power source operates, the cutting wheel 26 is maintained relative the can engaging wheel 30 in the can cutting position. After the power source has been shut off, the cutting wheel 26 may be returned to the intermediate position of Fig. 3 by 'partially depressing horizontal slide lever 32 to activate the internal can opener mechanisms. When the can cutter wheel has been'restored to the intermediate position as described, the opened can is still retained between the two wheels and held in level position by the can opener assembly 20 without manual support by the operator. To disengage the can from the two wheels, the horizontal slide lever 32 is further depressed to its limit, thereby raising the cutter wheel vertically to the position of Fig. 3, the upper or can releasing position, and the opened can may be removed manually from between the two wheels. Thus, in the sequence of operation of the can opener the horizontal slide lever 32 is depressed, first, to permit insertion of the can between the two wheels, and second, to move the cutter wheel from the cutting position to the intermediate position, and then fully de pressed to move the cutter wheel to its uppermost position (Fig. 4) to permit removal of the opened can from the can opener. The power source is activated only once (after the can is engaged between the two wheels) and serves to move the cutter wheel from the intermediate to the cutting position to puncture the can and then rotate the can engaging wheel relative the can cutting wheel to cut the end out of the can. After cutting the end of the can, the power source is shut off and has no further operation during the can cutting process.

The general plan of operation having been described,

the detailed operating structure will now be set forth. The detailed construction of the can opener assembly proper will be set forth from the inside out, that is, from the point of view of assembly of the parts so that the form of each component may be delineated and then its mode of cooperation with the other parts.

The base frame Base frame 23 forms a rigid base relative which all the other parts of the can opener assembly function. Base frame 23 is removably attached to platform 21 by screws (not shown) extending upwardly from the platform into its lower edge. Base frame 23 is a metallic piece which forms, when the can opener assembly 20 is completely assembled, the visible lower front face of the can opener assembly.

The front face of the base frame 23 is numbered 33 and has upper central portion 34 (see Figs. 9 and 10) cut away to permit extension therethrough of the can cutter Wheel shaft 27, the can cutter wheel catch shaft 29 and other elements to be presently described. Cut away portion 34 is essentially rectangular in shape leaving two upward post-like extensions 35 on either side thereof. Depressions 36 and 37 are formed in the lower edge of the rectangular cutaway portion 34 to receive cutter catch and cutter wheel shafts 29 and 27 respectively. Metal can positioning stud 38 is positioned to one side of the cutter shaft opening 37. Plastic can positioning stud 39 is positioned below metallic stud 38 on the face 33 of the base frame 23. The lower stud 39 is for the purpose of producing an outward tilt of the can from the front face of the base frame, thereby protecting the can labels from being drawn into the wheel actions and also keeping the can body clear of the engaging wheel 30. The cutter catch shaft 29 is also positioned slightly lower relative the can'engaging wheel 30 than the cutting wheel shaft 27 to abut the top end of the can and tilt it to one side so as to position it for most efficient feeding. These two angular displacements of the can are compensated for by the compound tilt of the platform, thereby maintaining the can axis vertical while it is being cut and avoiding spillage.

The rear face of the base frame 23 has side rectangu-' lar guide bars 40 (Figs. 9, 10) extending the length of the frame 23 defining a slideway 41 which is recessed between the bars 40. Slideway 41 is of greater width than the front face cutaway portion 34 whereby grooved portions 42 are formed behind the top extensions 35.

Studs 43 on guide bars 40 extend rearwardly a distance greater than the thickness of the securing plates 63 (to be described). Area 44 (Fig. 10) on the back side of frame 23 in the'vicinity of the shaft depressions 36 and 37 is recessed below the surface of slideway 41. Below recessed area 44 drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 penetrates through the base frame 23 flush with the front face and extends rearwardly from the surface of slideway 41 to a level flush with the faces of the guide bars 40. Clip 46 is attached to the lower edge of slideway 41 and has outwardly extending edge arms 47 forming with the lower ends of the guide bars 40 spring passages 48.

Vertical slide assembly The vertical slide assembly is made up of the rectangular slide base 49 and the shaft mounting slide 51 and the parts mounted thereon The former of these will be first described and then the latter and the interrelationship between the two parts.

7 Rectangular slide base Rectangular slide base 49 having a thickness equal to the depth of slideway 41 in base frame 23, mounts thercin and is vertically movable therein relative to the base frame 23.

The front face 49a (Fig. 8) of rectangular slide base- 49 has rectangular recessed portion 50 formed therein asoaeso to receive shaft mounting slide 51 (Fig. 8). Shelf portion 52 on the top edge of the front face 49a extends outwardly a distance equal tothe distance from the front face 33 ofthe base frame 23 to the surface of slideway 41 on the back of the base frame. The width of the shelf portion 52 is slightly less than the width of the rectangular cutaway portion 34 in the front face of base frame 23. A pair of spring mounting studs 53 extend downwardly from the lower face of shelf portion 52. A pair of slots 54 and 56 (Fig. 9) are formed in the wall of slide base 49 recessed portion 50. The upper slot 54 is designed to receive rearwardly extending shaft 55 fixed to the back face of shaft mounting slide 51, this slot being slightly greater in length than the length of the motion of the shaft mounting slide 51 relative the slide base 49 to be presently set forth. Lower slot 56 has a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 and a length equal to the distance traveled by the cutter wheel 26 relative the can engaging wheel 30 in moving from the intermediate position to the lower position. Thus, the rectangular slide base 49 fits in the base frame rear face slideway 41, slot 56 in rectangular slide base 49 engages drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 and rectangular slide base 49 is slideable in slideway 41 vertically relative the base frame 23 a distance greater than the distance traveled by the can cutting wheel 26 in moving from the can engaging position to the can cutting position. Since the thickness of the rectangular slide base 49 equals the depth of the slideway 41 and the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 extends rearwardly a distance equal to the depth of slideway 41 relative the guide bars 40, the rear face 49b of rectangular slide base 49 and the rear face of bearing cylinder 45 are flush.

On the rear face 49b of the rectangular slide base 49, cam receiver engaging stud 57 extends outwardly therefrom a distance equal to the width of the guide or securing plates 63 (later to be described), adjacent the top edge of the rearwardly extending shaft 55 slot 54. A stud receiving hole (not shown) near the upper edge of the back face 49b rotatably receives stud 58 on the inner side of the head of rotatable catch 59. Catch stud 69 extends outwardly to engage the lower right edge of rotatable catch 59 and is of the same height as the cam receiving stud 57. Leaf spring 61 is fixed by mounting stud 62 to the lower corner of the rear face 49b and is of the same or lesser height as studs 57 and 60. Ro-- tatable catch 59 is pivoted at the upper end by inner stud 58 and has stud receiving notch 59a on the central right edge thereof, a portion of the upper edge of the stud receiving notch 59:: being horizontal relative the base frame where catch 59 abuts stud 60. The lower right edge of rotatable catch 59 is normally engaged by stud 60. The lower left edge of rotatable catch 59 is abutted by the free end of leaf spring 61 which applies force to rotate the rotatable catch in a counter clockwise direction around stud 58. The rotatable catch 59 is of the same thickness as the length of the cam receiving stud 57.

Rectangular slide base securing plates The rectangular slide base 49 securing plates 63 have a length equal to the length of the guide bars 40 and the base frame 23. Plates 63 have a Width greater thanthe width of the guide bars 40 so that, when they are posi tioned with their edges flush with the outer edgesof the guide bars, their inner edges extend over the slideway 41 the length of the base frame to position the rectangular slide base 49 therein by abutting its rear face 4%. Holes 64 in the upper ends of the plates 63 engage studs 43 on the guide bars 40 and the lower portions of the plates 63 are bolted 65 to the lower ends of the guide bars. Guide bars 40, clip edge arms 47, slideway 41, securing plates 63 and the lower edge of the rectangular slide base 49 define open ended spring channels 48 to receive springs 66. These springs urge the rectangular slide base upwardly in slideway 41 to the intermediate The shaft mounting slide Shaft mounting slide 51 has a width slightly less than the width of the recessed portion of the front face of the rectangular slide base 49 and a length less than the distance from the lower edge of the recessed portion 50 to the bottom of the spring mounting studs 53 extend ing from the underside of shelf 52. The thickness of the slide 51 is equal to the depth of the recessed portion 56 so that the front face 49a of the rectangular slide base 49 and the front face 51a of slide 51 are flush. Since the faces 49a and 51a are flush, the shaft mounting slide 51 is vertically slideable relative to the rectangular slide base 49 in the recessed portion thereof.

The front face 514 of shaft mounting slide 51 has slot 68- therethrough to receive the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45. Slot '68 is positioned relative slot 56 in the rec tangular slide base and is congruent therewith in width. The length of slot 68 is equal to the length of slot 56 but slot 68 is displaced lengthwise in the shaft mounting slide 51 so that when'the slide 51 bottom edge abuts the bottom edge of the recessed portion 50 of the rectangular slide base 49, the upper edge of the slot 68 in the shaft mounting slide extends below the upper edge of the slot 56 in the rectangular slide base a distance equal to the distance traveled by the can cutting wheel in mov-- ing from the intermediate can engaging position to the upper can inserting or releasing position. Platform 69 is positioned above slot 68, the upper edge thereof defin-- ing shelf 70 extending from the face of the shaft mounting slide 51 a distance equal to the extension of the shelf 52 from the face of the rectangular slide base 49a. The base of the platform 69 is triangular in cross-section and tapers downwardly to arrive flush with the face of the shaft mounting slide 51 at its base. The purpose of the recessed portion 44 in the slideway 51 of the base frame 23 rear face is to permit vertical motion of the platform 69 relative thereto. Cutter mounting shaft 27 and cutter catch mounting shaft 29 are positioned perpendicular to the face of the platform 69 base, thereby being angled relative a plane perpendicular to the shaft mounting slide face 51a and the base frame front face 33 (the latter two being parallel) to mount the cutting wheel 26 relative the can engaging wheel 30 so as to properly engage a can inserted therebetween to puncture and cut the can. A pair of spring mounting studs 71 extend upwardly relative studs 53 extending downwardly from shelf 52, the distance therebetween being equal to' the distance moved by the can cutting wheel in passing from the intermediate can engaging position to the upper can insert or release position when slide 51 is at its lowest relative base 49. Therefore, the vertical motion of the shaft mounting slide 51 relative the rectangular slide base 49 is defined at its lower extremity by the abutment of the shaft mounting slide 51 with the lower edge of the recessed portion 50 and at its upper extremity by abutment of the lower edge of the slot 68 with the drive shaft bearing cylinder and the abutment of the ends of spring mounting studs 71 and 53. Springs 72 engage studs 71 and 53 and constantly urge shaft mounting slide 51 into its lowest position relative the rectangular slide base 49. The tension of the springs 72 is sufficient both to cut the can and force the cutter wheel against the can rim with sufficient pressure to provide adequate traction of the teeth of the underlying feed wheel with the rim of the can to properly feed the can.

On the back face of the shaft mounting slide 51, vertical motion cam shaft 55, having rotatable portion 73 on the end thereof, extends rearwardly through slot 54 in the rectangular slide base 49. Cam shaft 55 extends rearwardly so its outerface is flush with the faces of the guide rails 75 on the back horizontal frame 74, later to be described.

Operation operating parts in the can opener assembly is to pro:

vide the means for shifting the two slides 51 and 49 vertically relative the base frame 23 and one another. Before further complicating the description with these components therefore, the three operating positions will be set forth. j

Assuming: (1) shaft mounting slide 51 mounted in the recessed portion 50 of the rectangular slide base 49 with the springs 72 urging its lower edge into contact with the lower edge 490 of the recessed portion 50 and therefore the upper edge of slot 68 extending below the upper edge of slot 56, (2) the rectangular slide base 49 mounted in the slideway 41 of the base frame 23 with slots 68 and 56 encircling the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45, cutter shaft 27 and cutter catch shaft 29 extending out of the depressions 36 and 37 in the base frame 23 and shelf 69 extending into rectangular cutout portion 34 of the base frame 23, (3) securing plates 63 abutting the rear face of rectangular slide base 49 so as to fix it relative slideway 41, (4) springs 66 in channels 48 forcing the rectangular slide base 49 vertically so the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 lower surface abuts the lower edge of the slot 56 in the rectangular slide base 49 (not the lower edge of the shaft mounting slide slot 68), then can cutter wheel 26 will be in the intermediate can engaging position. Note that the rectangular slide base 49 is at its uppermost possible position relative the base frame 23 and the shaft mounting slide 51 is at its lowermost possible position relative the rectangular slide base 49.

To move the cutter wheel shaft 27 upwardly to the can release and insert or upper position from the intermediate position, the shaft mounting slide 51 must be forced upwardly vertically in the recessed portion 50 of the rectangular slide base 49 against the tension of springs 72 until the lower edge of the slot 68 abuts the lower surface of the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45. Such motion is accomplished by applying force to the lower surface of the rearwardly extending shaft 55 so it will move vertically in slot 54 in the recessed portion 50 of the rectangular slide base 49, thus carrying shaft mounting slide 51 with it against the action of springs 72. Mechanism for applying such force will be later described.

To move the cutter wheel shaft 27 downwardly to the can cutting or lower position relative the can engaging wheel 30 from the intermediate position, the rectangular slide base 49 must be forced downwardly relative to the base frame 23 against the action of springs 66 until the upper face of the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 abuts the upper edge of slot 68 in the shaft mounting slide 51. When a can is engaged in the can opener, the cutter wheel will never actually move entirely to this position, inasmuch as resilient engagement of the can rim between the feed wheel and cutter wheelhub portion will limit the downward movement of the cutter wheel. Such a motion defines the can puncturing stroke. It is accomplished by applying force to the top of stud 57 on the back of the rectangular slide base. It should be noted that when the can cutting or lower position is achieved, the shaft mounting slide 51 is still at its lower position relative the rectangular slide base 49 with upward displacement possible relative thereto. Such upward displacement permitsmotion of the can cutter shaft 27 to compensate for the variations in height of can beads or rims in the cutting process. The. can opener parts will next be considered which operate to effect the above two vertical motions. Mecl1- anism has been previously set forth suflicient to normally maintain the can cutter shaft 27 in the intermediate position. relative the can engaging wheel 30. These motions are: (1.) movement of the shaft mounting slide 5]. upwardly. relative the rectangular slide base 49 while the latter is fixed at its uppermost point relative the base frame 23 (from the intermediate can engaging position to the upper can insertion or release position), (2) movement of the rectangular slide base 49 downwardly rela-. tive the base frame 23 (from the intermediate position to thecan cutting or lower position). It will also be necessary to show mechanism for locking thetrectangular slide base 49 in the down position to permit the cutting process to take place. This locking action will be against the return action of springs 66. Mechanism also must be shown for releasing the rectangular slide base from such locking mechanism so the rectangular slide base may be moved upwardly.

The mechanism for moving the shaft mounting slide 51 upwardly relative the rectangular slide base 49 will be first described as a separate system and then that for the other movement and operations. It will be understood, of course, that certain parts may function in more than one operation.

Back horizontal slide frame The back horizontal slide frame 74 has a horizontal length equal to the width of the base frame 23, a vertical width equal to a slightly greater distance than the distance from the top of base frame to the lower surface of the rearwardly extending shaft 55 in intermediate position, and a thickness equal to that of the rotating portion of the rearwardly extending shaft 55 or slightly greater. Back horizontal slide frame 74 has horizontal recessed portion 74a running its full horizontal length and top and bottom guide bars 75 serving as the upper and lower boundaries thereof. Frame 74 is positioned on the base frame 23 by studs 43 extending through holes 76 in the recessed portion 74a and bolts 77 also in the recessed portion 74a of the frame 74. Frame 74 is positioned (by securing plates 63) away from the back surface of the rectangular slide base 49 so that stud 57, rotatable catch 59 and leaf spring 61 are slideable thereunder. Vertical slot 78 in frame 74 has a length equal to the distance traveled by the can cutting shaft 26 in moving from its lower can cutting position to the upper can inserting and releasing position and, when rectangular slide base 49 is in its normal intermediate position, rearwardly extending shaft 55 from the shaft mounting slide 51 is positioned intermediate the ends of the vertical slot 78. Horizontal slot 79 connects into vertical slot 78 to receive stud 89 on the back face of the horizontal slide 84 to be noted later, Rectangular opening 80 is formed in the recessed portion 74a of the back horizontal slide frame to receive an outwardly extending stud 109 on the arm 19') of cam follower 106, which parts will also be later described. Lever 32 engaging plates 81 having holes 82 therein extend past the side edge of the base frame 23 and above the top edge thereof. Plates 81 are fixed to the top guide bar 75 of the back horizontal slide frame.

Back horizontal slide the width of the base frame 23 and a vertical width equal to the width of the recessed portion 74a of the backhorizontal slide frame 74. End tab-85 of hori-- zontal slide 84 extends past the edge of base frame 23 when the slide 84 is at its extreme left (facing rear side of base frame 23) position with its left edge in line with the left edge of the base frame. Hole 86 is formed therein to engage the bifurcated end 32a of lever 32. Cutaway upper right edge 87 permits movement of the lever arm 32a relative the back horizontal slide plate 34. Vertical slot 88 in plate 84 has a length slightly greater than the distance the can cutting shaft 27 travels in moving from the intermediate position to the can cutting position. The left edge of vertical slot 88 matches the left edge of the rectangular opening 80 in the back horizontal slide frame 74 when the back horizontal slide 84 is in its extreme left position as above described. The purpose of the Vertical slot 88 is to engage the outwardly extending stud 109 on the cam follower arm 107 to be later described. Locking stud 89 is positioned on the rear face of the back horizontal slide plate 84 (Fig. 6) and has rotatable portion 90 therearound. Stud 89 fits into the horizontal slot 79 of the back horizontal slide frame and when the back horizontal slide 84 is at its extreme left position stud 89 abuts the left end of slot 79, thereby limiting the leftward movement of plate 84. The length of stud 89 is less than the combined thickness of the securing plates 63-plus the thickness of the recessed portion 74a of back horizontal slide frame 74.. The purpose of the locking stud 89 will be described relative the means for releasing the rectangular slide base 49 from its locked position in the can cutting process. Plate 84 has rectangular cutout portion 91 with angled. carn surface 92 at the lower left edge thereof. When horizontal slide plate 84 is at its extreme left position, the right side and top of the rectangular cutout 91 are congruent with the vertical slot 78 in the back horizontal slide frame 74, thus permitting vertical motion of the rearwardly extending shaft 55 in both slots. Motion of the back horizontal slide 84 towards the right permits engagement of the lower surface of the rotatable portion 73 of the rearwardly extending shaft 55 by cam surface 92. Further motion of the slide 84 to the right cams up shaft 55, thereby moving the shaft mounting slide 51 upwardly relative the rectangular slide base 49 which is already at its maximum height relative the base frame 23 in the intermediate position. The motion of the back horizontal slide 84 to the right also moves rear stud 89 to the right for a purpose to be later described. The previously described motion of slide 84 to the right must be caused by the manual operation of lever 32 which is pivoted on pin 93 through plates 81 and engaging tab 85. with pin 94 through the bifurcated lower lever arm 32a. Spring engaging pin 95 (Figs. 6 and extends outwardly from the right front face of the back horizontal slide 84 a greater distance than the thickness of the back plate 98 (to be later described). It is desirable except when (a) the operator wants to cam rearwardly extending shaft 55 up to move cutter shaft 27 to the can inserting and releasing position, (b) the operator wants to release the rectangular slide base from the mechanism locking it in. the lower can cutting position (to be later described) to have the back horizontal slide 84 fixed in its extreme left position. This is accomplished by spring 96 connecting pin 95 on the back horizontal slide 84. with pin 97 on the back plate 98, thereby creating a constant force tending to pull pin 95 and thereby slide 84 toward its leftmost position.

Back plate Back plate 93 holds the back horizontal slide 84 in the back horizontal slide frame 74. In addition to pin 97, back plate 98 has top flap 99 to partly close the open top of the base frame and top flap 99 has cutaway portion 100 (Fig. 1) for extension therethrough of the lever mounting plates 81. Slot 101 (Fig. 5) is formed in the back plate 98 to permit horizontal motion of the pin 95 on the back horizontal slide therein. Side extensions 10 102 abut in sealing relationship spacing plates 63. Plate 98'is bolted at 103 to the base frame 23 through holes (103a) in the spacing plates 63. 'Back plate 98 also has cutaway portion 104 (Fig. 5) therein for insertion of a camming system and the gear reduction train 25 therein relative to the rear side of can opener assembly 20.

Operation Sufficient structure has been set forth to position the cutter wheel 26 relative to the can engaging wheel 30 in the intermediate or can engaging position and also to move the can cutting wheel 26 from the intermediate position to the upper or can inserting or removing position. The operation of the three sets of springs previously described may now be compared: springs 66 operate to urge the rectangular slide base 49 towards its uppermost position; springs 72 tend to urge the shaft mounting slide 51 toward its lowest position relative the rectangular slide base 49, and cam force through the horizontal motion of back horizontal slide 84 applied to the rearwardly extending shaft 55 through manual operation of lever arm 32 is required to raise the shaft mounting slide 51. relative the rectangular slide base 49; and spring 96 tends to maintain the back horizontal slide 84 in its leftmost position, lever arm 32 by manual manipulation moving the horizontal slide 84 against this spring 96 action.

Turning now to the mechanisms required (1) to force the rectangular slide base 49 from its uppermost posi tion to the can cutting position (2) to lock it in that position against the returning force of spiings 66 for the cutting operation and also (3) to release the rectangular slide base 49' from such locked position to permit springs 66 to return it upwardly: these mechanisms will be described in the above mentioned order.

Can cutting mechanism It is necessary to strip off back plate 98, back horizontal slide 84 and back horizontal slide frame 74 for -a view of the rear face of the rectangular slide base 49 and the parts attached thereto to set forth the structure which will permit and produce the lowering of the rectangular horizontal slide 49 from its uppermost position to the can cutting position against the supporting force of springs66. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 9 show the above steps in the stripping process.

Referring now especially to Fig. 9 and Fig. 7, stud 57 is positioned on the rear face of the rectangular slide base 49. On adding the back horizontal slide frame 74 (as shown in Fig. 7) attention may be drawn to the position of the rearwardly extending shaft 55 relative the vertical slot 78 in frame 74 when the rectangular slide base 49 is in its uppermost position (Fig. 6). It is desired to move shaft 55 downwardly (and thereby the shaft mounting slide 51) until shaft 55 nears the lower limit of slot 78 against the returning force of springs 66 (Fig. 7). shaft 24 and abuts. in sliding relationship with its front face the rear faces of the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 and the rectangular slide base 4%. The vertical displacement of the axis of cam 165 relative the axis of drive shaft 24 is equal to the distance the can cutting shaft 27 travels in moving to the can cutting position from the intermediate position. The thickness of cam 105 is equal to the thickness of the securing plates 63. Circular cam follower ring 106 with upwardly extending,

Circular cam 105 is mounted on drive To picture the motion of the rectangular slide base 49 from its uppermost to the can cutting position, Figs. 6 and 7 will be ofaid. Fig. 6 shows the rectangular slide base 49 at its uppermost position, supported there by springs 66. Stud 57 on the back side of the rectangular slide base 49 therefore is also at its highest position relative the base frame] Cam 105 is rotated so the largest displacement thereof is vertical as seen in Fig. 6. Cam follower ring 106 and arm 107 are also at their highest extension with edge 108 abutting the upper surface of stud 57. Stud 109 on the cam follower arm 107 extends outwardly through the rectangular opening 30 in the back horizontal slide frame 74 and the vertical slot 88 in the back horizontal slide 84, the back horizontal slide 84 being held in its leftmost position by spring 96 on the back plate 98.

To cam down stud 57 and thereby cam down the rectangular slide base 49 from its uppermost to the can cutting position, the back horizontal slide 84 must remain in its leftmost position so the vertical slot 88 will force the hook edge 108 to remain in contact with stud 57 and drive shaft 24 must rotate the upwardly disposed large cam 105 to a downward disposition. Fig. 7 shows the results.

It should be noted that this operation is performed ontirely by the power source 22 through rotation of the drive shaft 24, effecting thereby power puncturing of the can by the can cutter wheel 26, and that unless some mechanism will come into effect as the cam displacement hits its downmost point, further revolution of the drive shaft 24 will permit the springs 66 to return the rectangular slide frame 49 to its uppermost position, as the only force yet described operating to force it downwardly is the cam follower arm 107 acting on stud 57. Therefore, without the locking mechanism it will be seen that rectangular slide frame 49 will go upwardly with the rotation of cam 105 past the lowest point of its displacement. This locking mechanism will now be described. No new structure other than that already shown is required.

Can cutter locking mechanism To delineate the locking mechanism for holding the rectangular slide 49 in the downmost can cutting position relative the base frame 23 against the action of the springs 66, it will be necessary again to strip off the back plate 93, the back horizontal slide 84 and the back horizontal slide frame 74 to look at the rear face of the rectangular slide frame 49b and the parts thereon (Fig. 9). Attention is now directed to rotatable catch 59, stud 60 engaging its lower right edge and leaf spring 61 which abuts its lower left edge and tends to rotate the catch 59 to the right or in a counterclockwise direction around its anchoring stud 58. When the back horizontal slide frame 74 is in place, as in Fig. 7, the rectangular slide frame 49 is in its uppermost position as in Fig. 6, and the horizontal slide 84 is at its leftmost position, (1) indent 59a in the rotatable catch 59 is above stud 89 on the back surfaceof the horizontal slide 84 and the slot 79 in the back horizontal slide frame which the stud 89 rides in, (2) stud 89 displaces the rotatable catch 59 to the left against the action of spring 61. When the rectangular slide frame 49 is carnmed downwardly from its uppermost to the can cutting position as previously described, the stud 89 on the back of the back horizontal plate 84 remains fixed vertically and horizontally. The rotatable catch 59, however, move downwardly with the rectangular slide frame 49 on which it is journaled by stud 58, its right edge moving down the left side of the stud 89 and spring 61 being displaced to permit lateral motion thereof to the left. When the rectangular slide frame 49 reaches the bottom or can cutting position, indent 59a in the rotatable catch 59 engages stud 89, the spring 61 forcing it into engagement therewith. The indent 59a is of such depth that its lower edge passes slightly below the lower face of stud 89 when the slide base 49 hits its 12 lowest position, thereby insuring engagement of the stud 89. With the stud 89 engaged by the rotatable catch 59, cam 105 may rotate its displacement past the lowest extension thereof and upwardly, thereby lifting cam follower arm hook edge 108 off the stud 57 on the rectangular slide base rear face 49b without permitting return of the rectangular slide base 49 to its uppermost position. Thus, rotation of the can engaging wheel 30 by shaft 24 may continue indefinitely without returning 23 and joint top flap 99 the rectangular slide base 49 to its uppermost position, thereby permitting a complete can cutting process to occur. Cutting past and over the seam of a can is handled by the upwardly directed force created by engagement of the seam by the cutting wheel 26 displacing cutter wheel shaft 27 vertically and shaft mounting slide 51 therewith against the action of springs 72. When the end of the can has been completely cut out, the power is shut off and it then becomes necessary to return the can cutting wheel 26 to the intermediate position by releasing the stud 89 from the rotatable catch 59 so springs 66 may return the rectangular slide base 49 upwardly. Again, no new structure other than that previously disclosed is required to accomplish this unlocking process.

Unlocking operation The back horizontal slide 84 remains in its extreme leftmost position all during the can puncturing and cutting operations. Once the power source has been shut off and the drive shaft 24 has stopped its rotation, depression of lever arm 32 will move back horizontal slide 84 to the right, carrying stud 89 (presently engaged by rotatable catch 59) with it. Catch 59 cannot follow the stud 89 in this motion, as its right lower edge abuts stud 60 on the rear face of the rectangular slide base 49. As soon as stud 89 clears the top edge of rotatable catch 59, springs 66 force the rectangular slide base upwardly to its uppermost position where the abutment of the lower edge of slot 56 in the rectangular slide base 49 against the drive shaft bearing cylinder 45 stops the upward motion. Also, motion to the right of the back horizontal slide 84 moves stud 109 on the cam follower arm 107 to the right in vertical slot 88 so that stud 57 on the rear face of the rectangular slide base 49 will not strike the hook edge 108 as the rectangular slide base moves upwardly to its uppermost position. Since, when the power is shut off, cam may stopv with its maximum displacement at any angular position, opening 80 in the back horizontal slide frame is required to be rectangular as shown in Fig. 7 so that stud can be moved to the right from any level of its vertical travel. Further depression of the lever arm 32 cams up shaft 55 so the cutter wheel is moved up to the upper position. From the moment of engagement of cam 92 with shaft 55 greater application of force to lever 32 is required as springs 72 are then being compressed.

The upper front plate Upper front plate serves merely to close off the front rectangular cutout portion 34 of the base frame of back plate 98 in sealing off the top end of the can opener assembly. The rectangular cutout 111 in the upper front plate 110 lower front edge permits the necessary up and downward motion of shafts 29 and 27 relative the base frame. Plate 110 is fastened to the front of the base frame by bolts 112.

Cam follower re-engagement As above noted, motion to the right of the back horizontal slide 84 in releasing the rectangular slide base 49 displacement at any angular position. Since, when the rectangular slide base 49 is in its uppermost position and the cam follower arm 107 is engaging the top of stud 57, the cam 105 will have to have itsimaximum displacement at the uppermost position, it will be seen that if the rotation of the drive shaft 24 stopped with the cam 105 with its maximum displacement anywhere but at the uppermost position, the return of stud 57 to its uppermost height will move it past the level of the cam follower arm hook edge 108 and, thus, when the operator releases the lever 32 after unlocking the rectangular slide-base from its lower cutting position or after camming up the rearwardly extending arm 55 to the can releasing position, spring 96 will be unable to return the back horizontal slide 84 all the way to the left because the left face of the cam follower arm upper edge will abut against the stud 57. It will be noted, however, that the fact that the back horizontal slide cannot return entirely to its left-most position will not prevent manipulation of the lever arm 32 to permit insertion of another can between the can cutter wheel and can engaging wheel. Then, when the power source is turned on, the drive shaft 24 will rotate cam 105 so that (a) if the cam stopped in its downward travel, the rotation of the cam will finish the downward movement and then move upwardly pushing the left topmost face of the cam follower arm 1197 upwardly until the hook edge 108 passes the top of stud 57 at which point the spring 96 will operate to pull the back horizontal slide 84 into its downward movement again, the hook edge 108 will engage stud 57 to cam down the rectangular slide base into the can cutting position; (b) if the rotation of the drive shaft 24 stopped the cam 105 with its greatest displacement at its downmost position or in its upward movement, further rotation of the drive shaft will move the left uppermost face of the cam follower arm 107 past the stud 57 until the hook edge 108 again rises above stud 57 so that spring 96 can pull the back horizontal slide 84 to its leftmost position. The stud 109 of the cam follower arm 107 is, of course, positioned in the vertical slot 88 in the back horizontal slide 84 during all these motions and thus the spring 6 exerts a constant leftward pull on the cam follower arm 107. If the rotation of the drive shaft stopped with the greatest vertical of the cam 105 in its uppermost position, when the lever arm 32 is released after unlocking the rectangular slide base 49 from its can cutting position or from camming the backward extending stud 55 into the upper can releasing position, the spring 96 can immediately pull the back horizontal slide 84 to its leftmost position, as the hook edge 1&8 will be at its highest position and can slide over the top of the stud 57. Thus it is seen that no matter what level the cam follower arm remains at after the rotation of the drive shaft 24 ceases, the cam follower arm will automatically reengage stud 57 when the power is turned on again.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A can opener comprising a can engaging wheel, means for rotatably mounting said can engaging wheel in a fixed position, means attached to said can engaging wheel for rotating it in said fixed position, a can cutter wheel, means rotatably mounting said cutter wheel for vertical motion relative said can engaging wheel, said cutter wheel movable between three vertical positions relative to said can engaging wheel, including an upper can inserting and releasing position, an intermediate can engaging position and a lower can cutting position, means to retain said cutter wheel normally in said intermediate position against displacement toward the upper position, means to retain said cutter wheel normally in said intermediate position against displacement toward the lower position, means for moving said cutter wheel from said intermediate position to said upper position to permit insertion and withdrawal of a can rim between the can engaging wheel and cutter wheel, means for moving said cutter wheel from said intermediate position to said lower position to cut the can, means for retaining said cutter wheel in said 14 lower position while. the can is being opened, and means for releasing said cutter wheel. from said retaining means to permit return of the cutter wheel to the intermediate position whereby to retain. the opened can between the can engaging wheel and the cutter wheel.

2. A power operated can opener as in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the cutter wheel from the intermediate position to the upperposition and the means for releasing the cutter wheel from the retaining means are manually operated and the means for moving the cutter wheel from the intermediate position to the lower position are power operated.

3. A can opener as in claim 1 wherein the can cutting wheel overlies the can engaging wheel when the cutter wheel is in the lower position whereby to tilt the bottom of the can outwardly away from the mounting means and the rotation of the can engaging wheel relative the can cutter wheel tends to tilt the lower end of the can in a direction opposite from that in which the can engaging wheel is moving as it passes the can cutting wheel including a platform for supporting the can engaging wheel mounting means, said platform having a compound tilt as follows: the forward portion thereof adjacent the engaging and cutting wheels being :lower than the rearward portion thereof away from the cutting and engaging wheels and the portion thereof on the side opposite the direction in which the can engaging wheel is moving as it passes the can cutting wheel being lower than the portion in that direction, whereby a can held between the can engaging wheel and can cutter wheel, when the latter is both in its lower can cutting position and the cutting operation is in progress, is maintained level relative the surface supporting the platform.

4. A can opener comprising a base frame adapted to slidably receive a first vertical slide for vertical motion thereof relative the base frame, a can engaging wheel rotatably mounted in a fixed position on said base frame, means attached to said can engaging wheel for rotating it, a can cutting wheel rotatably mounted on a second vertical slide which is vertically movable on said first slide, said can cutting wheel movable with at least one of said slides between three vertical positions relative said can engaging wheel including an upper can inserting and releasing position, an intermediate can engaging position and a lower can cutting position, means to retain said cutter wheel and second vertical slide normally in said intermediate position against displacement toward the upper position, means to retain said cutter wheel and first vertical slide normally in said intermediate position against displacement toward the lower position, means for moving said cutter wheel and second slide from the intermediate position to said upper position to permit insertion and withdrawal of the rim of a can between the can engaging wheel and the cutter wheel, means for moving said cutter wheel and said first slide from said intermediate position to said lower position to cut the can, means for retaining said cutter wheel and said first slide in said lower position while the can is being opened, means for releasing said cutter wheel and first slide from the influence of said retaining means to permit return thereof to the intermediate position thereby retaining the opened can between the can engaging wheel and the cutter wheel, and a base frame base to support the can opener assembly.

5. A can opener as in claim 4 wherein the means resisting the displacement of the cutter wheel and second vertical slide from the intermediate position to the upper position cooperate between the first and second vertical slide.

6. A can opener as in claim 4 wherein the means resisting displacement of the cutter wheel and first vertical slide from the intermediate position to the lower position cooperate between the first vertical slide and the base frame base.

7. A can opener as in claim 4 wherein the means for 15 a moving the cutter wheel and second vertical slide from the intermediate position to the upper position against resistance comprises a cam surface movable relative the base frame operating against a cam follower on the second vertical slide. v

8. A can opener as in claim 7 wherein said cam surface movable relative the base frame is laterally movable relative thereto.

9. A can opener as in claim 4 wherein the means for moving the cutter wheel and first vertical slide from the intermediate position to the lower position against resistance comprises a primary cam connected to the can engaging wheel rotating means, said cam engageable with a stud fixed to said first slide.

10. A can opener as in claim 4 wherein the means for retaining the cutter wheel in the lower can cutting position with the first vertical slide comprises a movable catch on the first vertical slide, said catch engageable when the first vertical slide is moved to the lower position with a locking stud vertically fixed relative the frame. 11. A can opener as in claim 4 wherein the means for 16 retaining the cutter wheel inthe lower can cutting position with the first vertical slide comprises a movable catch on the first vertical slide, the catch engageable when the first vertical slide is. moved to the lower position with a locking stud vertically fixed relative the frame, and the means for releasing the cutter wheel and first vertical slide from the retaining means comprises means for translating the locking stud engageable with the movable catch in a horizontal direction relative the frame for disengagement from the catch.

12. A can opener as in claim 4 wherein the means for rotating the can engaging Wheel include a drive shaft attached thereto, the drive shaft for the can engaging wheel being received in a bearing cylinder extending through and fixed into the base frame, the bearing cylinder of such length as to extend through both of the said slides, both slides slotted so as to be able to receive the bearing cylinder extending therethrough and moved vertically rel-, ative thereto.

No references cited. 

